Perhaps the most respected of Scotlands current crop of sports journalists, -okay, its a fairly limited field- Graeme Spiers, kind of let us know how things work, or at least have been working, in Scottish football .

In his column in the London times, Spiers cast doubt on the integrity of Murdoch MacLennan, and astonishingly, compared him unfavourably to men like Campbell Ogilvie and Gordon Smith, largely on the grounds that he hasn’t met him.

If he was in kings shoes, that would make him a convicted fraudster, which even for the most imaginative writer would make empathy a little difficult. But not our Graeme, as he explained when Barcabhoy on twitter asked him..

Did you really mean this ? @GrahamSpiers It’s INCONCEIVABLE that Murdoch MacLennan was impartial,but you have no idea whether Ogilvie & Gordon Smith were not impartial Really ? How do you come to that differentiation, especially given track record suggests the opposite

I don’t live on Twitter 24/7 but I very happily answer Qs when I can. C Ogilivie is a very decent guy who got dragged into a mess at RFC. It can happen to good people. I’ve got no RFC or CFC dog in this dispute, though I know some of you guys pour over all this.

Because of conversations I’ve had with both CO and GS, I can assure you, it absolutely is answering your question. Though clearly not in the way you wish. I base my opinions firmly on what I see and hear. I’m sorry if you really want a different answer.

I can’t argue with him basing his opinions on what he sees and hears, thats how it should be, but when it comes to defending Ogilvie and smith, perhaps he should have looked a little harder and listened a little more carefully.

It also begs the question, if Spiers was convinced that Ogilvie and Smith, and by extension possibly a few others involved in industrial scale cheating, were good guys dragged into a bad situation, other , less professional and competent hacks are probably still fighting amongst themselves for the right to have their babies.

Other hacks will pick up on the story, and again a cynic might conclude that they are out to get MacLennan, who must have upset some of them somehow.

It’s quite sad. The evidence is there that Ogilvie especially, and a few others, need to be asked a few questions about their actions while at the SFA.

However, and I’m an old cynic, I’m quite certain that Spiers wouldn’t have taken any evidence offered to him suggesting malpractice and taken it straight to his pals at the SFA to allow them to get their stories straight.

I’m sure we all are.

When one of our most respected and experienced reporters is happy that a couple of at best compromised and at worst corrupt officials are good guys, then lamb, perhaps once out of favour, is firmly back on the menu again, with its own delicate aroma masking anything else that is permeating the air.

With EBT recipients in several positions not only in the media, but throughout the game, one gets the feeling that wagons are being circled, and the new sheriff is being told which bars he can drink in…

As for MacLennan, who is new to the job, I couldnt care less if he was a sash wearing drum bashing marching lodge Grandmaster as long as he does his job without fear or favour.

As with Ian Maxwell, I’ll reserve judgement until we see if the media distrust is down to the fact that they are going to clean the place up, which i’m beginning to suspect it might be.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the tradesmen are in and getting on with tarting the old place up a bit..

I thought the interesting thing was that Spirrs didn’t say GS was a really good guy. I like Graham Spiers, in the land of the blind the one eyed man is king(oops sorry) and he did stand out against the evil empire when so called neutrals looked the other way. There is a need to catagorise those who are not with us are against us and that kind of siege mentality has not always served us well. Steve Gerrard used to be a good guy who has a Celtic tattoo and went to Seville, overcame a not affluent background and… Read more »

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2 years ago

Monti

FFS,
First we have farmer giles telling us Murty and O’ Halloran are decent guys, now BJF giving it the big happy clappy man hug to gerrard?

Fuck all of them monkey fucks!
Just to be clear n that!

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2 years ago

Monti

What next? Somebody else telling us they don’t mind the tunes during an oo parade?

Fuck me min

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2 years ago

Monti

I suppose not all of the black n tans were bad eh?
The ones who stood outside when the beatings & rapes were being conducted inside, they were ” decent ” i suppose?

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2 years ago

Rob O'Keeffe

Maybe they were just doing a job for their cuntry?……

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2 years ago

Brian (not the messiah)

Nurse rachet!!! Calm down

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2 years ago

Monti

Wait til biggus dickus hears of this 🙂

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2 years ago

Corrib04

Being reasonable and grown up about this is not acceptable 🙂

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2 years ago

Monti

🙂

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2 years ago

BroxburnBhoy

Come on man! Spiers is another Ibrox apologist. Another set touch spin doctor for Level 5 stories. Good guys ffs.

Gerrard was a decent footballer in his day. Now he has
Made a Proustian deal with “the Rangers” and Dodgy Dave King. Very foolish man.

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2 years ago

BroxburnBhoy

I mean Faustian – apologies Marcel

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2 years ago

charlie

i phoned liebrox today the voice on the other end said if you want to voluteer press one -if you want to donate money pres 2 if you are eufa press 3 so a pressed 3 it said

Caption: hun vertigo sufferer threatens to throw himself off a pavement after yet another hunskelping!

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2 years ago

Cartvale88

Caption
The Mankies celebrate third place in the league.

The issue with Spiers is that like so many of the educated they have a big chip on their shoulder about the Irish diaspora. They see no problem with people like G Smith or Ogulvie who have clearly showed their bias, but a tenuous connection to anything Irish or Celtic means that the Vatican is coming.
Years or cheating EBTs and the board are ignored, as the present incumbents attempt to proceed along the same road, no one asks the questions about Sevco and King

Apparently when he was at university he was chairman of the Celtic supporters there!!!!

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2 years ago

The Cha

No, he’s always been a hun, one of the good ones (this is wind-up Monti Monday, isn’t it? 😉 ).

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2 years ago

Kenny

Caption: Will the real grim/dim shady please stand up

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2 years ago

Wisnae me

Caption: Simon Cowell’s Royal Wedding BGT gets off to a shaky start in Glasgow.

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2 years ago

Gash67

Caption

“Lets do the time warp again”

You put your hands on your hips

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2 years ago

D'Fhinnein Mick

RALPH

Spiers and Jackson-this morning,DR-suggest the huns are pulling out the stops on this.

I expect dirty work at the crossroads and a few more spurious allegations.

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2 years ago

Monti

D’Fhinnein,
Good to see you back on & in good health hopefully!

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2 years ago

Noel Skytrot

It reads as Spiers being back on the mint sauce, again. How can you just say Ogilvie’s a decent fella let’s not scrutinise him or call him out for his lies? Remember Etims this mob don’t like us and are jealous that we run the show. Fuck the 4th estate. Liars, charlatans and lamb takers.

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2 years ago

Monti

Noel,
Bang on……

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2 years ago

Noel Skytrot

Monti, to put it in the simplest terms, they’re full of shite. All that hatred for us and everything we stand for is gone? Aye, right ye fucking are. Cunts the lot of them. Hope yer tickety

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2 years ago

Monti

Noel,
I’m fine m8, yourself?

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2 years ago

Noel Skytrot

No bad thanks. Demented without Celtic playing.

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2 years ago

Weered

Noelskytrot… Agreed

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2 years ago

Macca

Yup!!!

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2 years ago

Noel Skytrot

Caption…..MC Billy Fleg drops a sick diss at local fuckwit parade.

By the way, wearing a shirt like that should be made a criminal offence. I would love to know where he got that? Probably the same shop that the two elephants in yesterday’s photo with the Butchers Apron leggings on go. Thank fuck I’m a Tim.

The late Corsica got Spiers bang to rights in his portrayal of the pseudo intellectual back on the RTC blog.

Like Gordon Brown and the Alexanders, he’s a self serving child of the manse. He’d happily sook up any gravy from the crumbledome.

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2 years ago

Monti

On Sevco drawing Celtic in the Scottish cup semi final….” Our dressing room is raucous in there ” – G.Murty.

Decent lad tho……

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2 years ago

Rob O'Keeffe

His dad is ok……

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2 years ago

Mike

WYE AYE MAN, HE’S A CANNY LAD IS ALAN SHEARER.

Boom Ticky Tacky Boom Boom Boom,
Allan Shearer He Da Mahn,
He kicked oor Lenny in Da Pus,
Attacking a Bhoy Who Be One Of Us,
The Ref Never Seen It That Be True,
Cos Allan Shearer, Wears Red White And Blue.
But He’s A true footballing icon, MAHAHAHA.

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2 years ago

5TB

Caption

Mother and son duo clearly enjoying the march, not long before he smashes her face in again.

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2 years ago

Monti

…and her back doors!

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2 years ago

5TB

As well as the goats…

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2 years ago

Mike

I have never ever held any illusions about Graeme Spiers, to me he is just the same as the whole of the Scottish press, caught up in promoting the one club, perpetuating the continuation myth. This despite the front page pictures of coffins and hearses and RIP signs in all of their editions. This all dates back to the disgusting 5 way agreement, when the governing bodies all signed up to this abomination, they threw away the key’s of truth, honesty and integrity. What follow/ followed this desperate attempt to breathe life into the corpse of the HUNS, even if… Read more »

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2 years ago

The Cha

Thing is he’s not a continuation jihadi and considers it an affront to his intelligence but doesn’t call it out, as he’s bored with it, a common trait of journalists to close down debate.

“you guys pour over all this” is also just a different way of saying ‘obsessed’ or ‘paranoid’ and another attempt to shut-off debate.

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2 years ago

Mike

Whatever way you look at it, its a cop out, but the real culprits of the continuation myth are the governing bodies, its their fault for chickening out to “Big Hands” Green with the 5 way agreement and to every Hun King included. I often wonder if they ever look back and say.. “Fuck” wish we hadn’t done that, but that is just me, thinking that others are fair and honest.

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2 years ago

BroxburnBhoy

Caption: proof that the education system has failed the majority of people in Scotland.

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2 years ago

Thomas Mccarthy.

Montit good morning I have noticed you are getting a visit
from a bitch in you home town

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2 years ago

Monti

Subtitles please…

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2 years ago

Noel Skytrot

Monti, If you’re from the Kingdom Tam might be talking about that ugly bastard Arlene Foster visiting for the fuckwit parade.

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2 years ago

Mike

I do not, will not ever decry decent people, even if they play or manage or do anything for the HUNS, why? because I am not a bigot, they the HUNH hordes are the bigots and I will never ever bring myself down to THEIR level. That may not be to everyone’s taste, I really couldn’t give a fuck. That would make me a hypocrite wouldn’t it, to be just like them…..

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2 years ago

Monti

I see it’s soapbox Monday again….

Lol lol.

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2 years ago

Weered

Monti… Is it a new twist on the Monday Club? 🙂

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2 years ago

Charlie Saiz

I much prefer Furfuxake Friday.
Those pre weekend Statements from Mordor can be quite hilarious at times.

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2 years ago

Weered

C S… I makes one smile… It’s just the way this ongoing pantomime lives up to expectations…
Oh yes it does… Oh yes it does

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2 years ago

Rob O'Keeffe

Mike,decent people don’t have anything to do with the Sooside Sectarian Scumbags,it’s that simple……

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2 years ago

Monti

Still no evidence been produced by the self elevated one on Murty & O’ Halloran being ” decent people “!
Just a claim that you think we should go along with.

Utter fucking drivel.

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2 years ago

Mike

Imodium is the best treatment for diarrhea, not certain though if it can treat every case, perhaps a double dose, but you never know, when the coos have it, I just stand back, careful like and try to avoid the splatter.

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2 years ago

Monti

Diarrhoea!

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2 years ago

Mike

Take three Imodium that might do it.

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2 years ago

The Cha

Serious OD that and he’ll be totally backed up and all the shit will be coming out of his mouth.

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2 years ago

Mike

And, your point is caller……

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2 years ago

Monti

Very ” decent ” of you that…

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2 years ago

Weered

Imodium just works one way…

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2 years ago

Charlie Saiz

🙂

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2 years ago

Hoop hoop hooray

Caption

We’re so glad to see so many of you lovely people here tonight
And we would especially like to welcome all of the representatives of the Strathclyde Law enforcement community, who have chosen to join us here in the Larkhall orange lodge at this time
We do sincerely hope that you all enjoy the show and please remember people, that no matter who you are and what you do to live, thrive and survive
There are still some things that make us all the scum
You, me, them
Everybody! Everybody!

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2 years ago

Monti

Caption: ” Oh mama oh mama comfort me ” 🙂

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2 years ago

Chris

Compared to the alternate universe that our sports hacks reside in Spiers’ observations of events are usually refreshingly accurate but his achilles heel is a naivety for assessing the import of a persons character. Wasn’t it Spiers who believed that David Murray would end up paying the Rangers tax bill because not to do so would damage his reputation? That line from ‘Downfall’ had me searching YouTube for details of Pollyanna and the Glad Game. His main character flaw is that Spiers is too impressionable and because he tries to see the good in everyone he is easily played by… Read more »

Broxburn Boy he is educated, but that does not mean he has any breeding or intelligence in relation to every day issues or bias against other cultures. Just look at your average Conservative voter especially in Bridgton or Shettleton, or closer to home Ayrshire, they vote with bigotry at the front of their Orc minds, the caption pic says it all.

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2 years ago

BroxburnBhoy

?

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2 years ago

BroxburnBhoy

I got it. There is a difference between passing exams and being truly educated. Spiers as I have seeen him on TV occasionally and his writing seems like he wants to exude intellectualism and then he reverts to type and supports a couple of dodgy huns steeped in conflict of interest. No excuse for that

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2 years ago

Monti

Still no evidence been provided by the soap box that Murty or O’Halloran are ” decent men “.

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2 years ago

Monti

Tum te tum te tum…..nope, still waiting!

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2 years ago

BJF

Monti as the spokesman for the not very bright bigots would you not be better off and more comfortable supporting them.
As usual you rant in your half either illogical fashion with no analysis evidence or capacity to marshall an argument, abuse is not a mature or reasoned way to deliver an opinion but then you wouldn’t be you if you made any sense.

BJF its not you that he is angry about, that.. honour belongs to me, he started talking mince about Alan Shearer on the last diary and I called him out on it and since then its been a constant barrage of utter garbage. Its what he does…. you were just caught up in his drivel.

Oh dear, What a walloper… he needs evidence of what decency is, I blame the schools.

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2 years ago

BJF

Mike it is the same old Monti I’m afraid he is an embarrassment
though some of my mates love his contributions and read them out in the pub under the “listen to what that idiot says this time” mantra.” Anyway every one needs a clown to lighten the serious debates and he plays the role better than most.

Weered I am sure you are right but one of my mates does a brilliant camp Monti having a row with a Glasgow hard man, it’s great I must see if we can get him to put it on You Tube, he plays both roles, classic!

Naw not having that “your chain being pulled” I’m really your pal slavers, if it was one or two posts mibbee, but that continuous diatribe of drivel which is all over this and other Diaries, is clearly designed to intimidate, naw that’s not “my chain being pulled”, no way.

I wonder if one day that,
You’ll say that, you care
If you say you love me madly,
I’ll gladly, be there
Like a puppet on a string
Love is just like a merry-go-round
With all the fun of the fair
One day I’m feeling down on the ground
Then I’m up in the air
Are you leading me on?
Tomorrow will you be gone?

Analysing possession confirms Ajer has been Celtic’s most effective defender this season.

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2 years ago

jimmybee

Great read again brilliant stuff.
Bitton is an unsung hero for me without him as your stats show Eurooe would have been lost.
He rallied to the call and deserves great credit.
Boyata shows why Brendan places so much trust in him and the most surprising was Hayes pity he got the bad injury as he could have had a decent season. Lets hope he comes back stronger than ever. Pleasure reading your post and look forward very much to next season. Keep up the fine work.

RT @YourWullie Celtic's Jimmy Johnstone celebrates with his team-mates after scoring their first goal against Dukla Prague during the European Cup Semi-Final 1st leg at Celtic Park in Glasgow on 12th April 1967.
Celtic won 3-1.
Photo by Paul Popper pic.twitter.com/bhGPdZzDhm

RT @MrChuckD I do think this society needs to re-examine USA police brutality issues AND cases as far as 25 yrs back like some folk go after Nazi war criminals . Some have gotten away Scot free and inquiring movements should KNOW their current status occupations and thoughts to go Forward... pic.twitter.com/JvwnIed9bQ